Senate President applauds expanded vaccines, path to re-opening

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) welcomed news of expanded vaccine access and plans to re-open the state’s economy.

“We’ve made it to this point thanks to modern science and the personal sacrifices of people all across this state. You’ve followed the rules and kept each other safe until a vaccine was widely available. Thank you.

“I urge everyone to remain patient and vigilant as we head into what is hopefully the final phase of this horrible pandemic.”

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Turner moves legislation to expand agricultural education for students

SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) plan to add agricultural sciences as a course to count toward the requirement for admission into Illinois public universities passed the Senate Higher Education Committee last week.

“The study of agriculture is vitally important, and our curricula should reflect that,” said Senator Turner. “The current exclusion as an option for a science course for admission is a huge disservice to students who plan to one day study and/or work in the field.”

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Martwick's legislation providing mental health days in school passes committee

SPRINGFIELD — To support students as rates of depression and suicide among young people rise, State Senator Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) is leading a measure that would allow them five excused absence days for mental health purposes each school year.

“Our focus on mental health needs to change,” Martwick said. “Students need to be able to prioritize their mental health and stability, and letting a kid take a day off can help in the long run.”

Read more.

We want your input on redistricing

The Illinois Senate Democratic Caucus recently launched a series of statewide redistricting hearings, seeking public input as lawmakers begin the once-a-decade process of drawing new legislative boundaries to ensure communities receive equal representation. Senate Democrats are committed to a redistricting process guided by the principles of transparency, fairness and reflecting the diversity of Illinois.

This week, the Senate will host a number of those hearings. The dates are as follows:

• West Central Illinois: Monday, March 22 at 5 p.m.
  • This is a hybrid committee, so you can watch either online or in-person at 200 Peoria Civic Center, Room 200 in Peoria.
• Chicago South: Thursday, March 25 at 3 p.m. virtual
• Northwest Cook: Friday, March 26 at 1 p.m. virtual

To watch any of the committees, visit ilga.gov then click “audio/video” under the Senate tab at its start time. Additionally, if you would like to testify or submit written testimony to the Illinois State Senate Redistricting Committee or any of its subcommittees contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

There are also more hearings to come. Visit the “hearings” tab on our redistricting website at ilsenateredistricting.com to learn more.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Decatur Park District has been selected to receive $57,500 in state dollars through the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) announced Friday.

“This is a great investment for the city of Decatur, especially as we head into the warmer months of the year,” Turner said. “This grant creates an opportunity for safe activities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. It also opens up a new form of transportation for residents, which is a major plus for cyclist.”

The Park District will use the grant funding to acquire 31.7 acres of land located in the northwest portion of Decatur. The land will allow for access to the current 10-foot-wide asphalt bike trail, which is 9.8 miles long with an additional 1.5 miles under development. The added land will help complete the final 2 miles of the Stevens Creek Bikeway.

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, has helped develop nearly 1,000 miles of local government bike trails in Illinois. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

Learn more about the program, eligible projects and the application process here.

CREST HILL – Will County has been slated to receive just shy of $4 million in funding for construction projects over the next three years, State Senator John Connor (D-Crest Hill) announced.

“This funding will bring jobs to the Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Romeoville areas for the next few years and will result in reliable infrastructure throughout the county for years to come,” said Connor. “Not only will we have the opportunity to strengthen our roads and bridges thanks to these grants, but we will be able to strengthen our communities and our economy.”

CHICAGO – After a deadly, racially motivated shooting spree in Atlanta, Georgia, and an arrest outside of the U.S. Naval Conservatory, current home of the first Asian American Vice President, State Senator Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) is calling on his colleagues to pass public safety measures to help prevent another tragedy.

“We can’t wait for the next tragedy to act on gun violence,” Villivalam said. “Our communities are under attack. We need to enact common sense gun violence prevention policy to improve public safety for every community, especially those communities that are being specifically targeted.”

NAPERVILLE – With spring just around the corner and more Illinoisans spending time outside, State Senator Laura Ellman (D-Naperville) is congratulating the DuPage County Forest Preserve District on a $100,000 grant to build a new bike path.

“Bike paths play a large role in communities across the 21^st District and the state,” Ellman said. “I use the paths for walks and bike rides throughout the year, which is why I was thrilled to hear about this grant coming to our local forest preserve.”

The DuPage County Forest Preserve District will receive $100,000 to construct a quarter mile bike path along the forest preserve on the east side of Naperville-Plainfield Road. The path will connect a sidewalk along the Brighton Ridge subdivision to a path parking lot in the forest preserve. 

“This funding can help local governments develop and improve existing bike paths,” Ellman said. “Investing in bike paths offers residents additional opportunities for recreation and to simply get outside.”

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was created in 1990 to provide grants to eligible local governments for projects that develop, rehabilitate or construct new bike paths. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

More information about the program, eligible projects and the application process is available here.

VILLA PARK – The Carol Stream Park District will receive $180,000 to renovate a 0.95-mile, 8-foot-wide asphalt trail that runs adjacent to Mitchell Lakes Park, State Senator Tom Cullerton (D- Villa Park) announced this week.

“As the weather starts to get warmer, it’s the perfect time to go outside and get active,” Cullerton said. “Bike trails provide an opportunity for safe transportation and recreation, and a grant like this will be a great investment for the park district to improve the trail near Mitchell Lakes Park.”

The grant comes from the Bicycle Path Grant Program, which has been administered since 1990 by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to provide grants to eligible local governments for new bike paths. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

Learn more about the program, eligible projects and the application process on the IDNR website.

MARYVILLE – To enhance the state’s workforce by improving high school job-training programs, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded 10 regional entities with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Education Career Pathways Grants, and State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) is thrilled to see the Madison County Career and Technical Education System selected as a recipient.

“These grants will help schools recruit and support future educators in the Career and Technical Education field by providing them with hands-on learning opportunities, mentorships and experiences to benefit their futures,” Crowe said. “Madison County is home to a robust number of companies in the CTE industry, and it’s important for educators to reflect the diversity of students within our school system.”

The Madison County Career and Technical Education System has received $84,839 to recruit and support future educators at Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto, Highland High School, Southwestern High School in Piasa and Triad High School in Troy.

The CTE Education Career Pathways Grants were awarded to 62 schools and vocational centers across the state, totaling almost $2 million. Currently, only 18% of teachers identify as people of color. These grants are intended to help increase diversity within the CTE teaching profession in Illinois.

Applicants to the CTE Education Pathways Grant program had to submit implementation plans outlining their strategies to recruit underrepresented students into education careers. The grant also requires a partnership between grantees and institutions of higher education to ensure students can earn dual credit or other certifications while still in high school.

“For students who want to pursue careers in CTE after graduation, this grant serves as an effective tool to place qualified, committed teachers in their classrooms,” Crowe said. “CTE includes everything from health sciences to manufacturing, and for students to get the most out of this path, it is important we have skilled educators.”

For a full list of the grant recipients, visit the ISBE website.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – To provide alternative and affordable education options to students, the Illinois State Board of Education has awarded career and technical education (CTE) grants to three schools in the 27^th Illinois Senate District, represented by State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights).

“As our economy adapts to the pandemic, CTE is becoming increasingly important,” Gillespie said. “These grants will help train future CTE teachers so that young learners in our community have access to affordable educational opportunities for a career in growing industries.”

The CTE Education Career Pathways Grants were awarded to 62 schools and vocational centers across the state, totaling over $1.5 million. Prospect High School, John Hersey High School and Fremd High School are the local recipients.

CTE Education Career Pathways Grants prepare students for teaching careers with hands-on experiences that offer dual-credit, credentials and mentorship. The program also gives priority to applicants in underrepresented groups in the teaching field.

Learn more about the CTE Education Career Pathways Grant at isbe.net/cte.